like it’s been painted a million

times, the room

seemed smaller

narrower

suffocating. The

window too small, the

door too sturdy,

ceiling too low

and the generator of

the illusion

stood across from her on the bed

He’s been around for a year

and six months

Result of her first

and surely last

non-aborted pregnancy

It was like all the rage and bitterness

of the previous three

remained in her womb as residue

and had seeped into this

fourth one

who would punish her for the rest of her

life

But of course this too

was just an illusion, it was only in her mind,

remnant of a failed

creative writing career…

Across from her on the bed

stood but a normal child

but gods, it was more than enough

for someone who wanted none

-BOGDAN DRAGOS

Bogdan Dragos supervises casinos for a gambling company, working twelve-hour…